Chapter 3 - Shadows of the Past and the Betrayal Within
The dining hall erupted into pure chaos. Michael lunged backward, drawing a concealed firearm from his shoulder holster with lightning speed, aiming it directly at Luca’s chest. Several female guests screamed in absolute terror, diving under the heavy mahogany tables, while the syndicate capos immediately reached for their own weapons, turning the engagement dinner into an armed standoff.
“Back off, Luca!” Michael’s voice cracked with hysteria, the gun shaking violently in his grip. “I never wanted to do this! You forced my hand! You were giving away our territories, acting soft, letting the old guard dictate how we run the syndicate!”
Luca didn't even flinch. He stared down the barrel of the gun as if it were a harmless toy. “You always were impatient, Michael. You wanted the crown without earning the scars.”
“I want survival!” Michael screamed. “And if you won't step down, I'll send you both to hell right now!”
Before Michael could pull the trigger, I acted on pure adrenaline. Remembering how Teresa had protected me earlier that morning, I shoved the heavy wooden serving cart directly into Michael’s legs. The cart crashed into his shins with a loud thud, throwing off his aim just as a deafening gunshot echoed through the grand hall.
The bullet shattered the crystal chandelier above us, sending thousands of glittering glass shards raining down onto the floor.
Luca moved with terrifying speed. In a fraction of a second, he closed the remaining distance, grabbed Michael’s wrist, and twisted it with brutal force. A sickening pop echoed through the room as Michael’s wrist fractured, sending his weapon clattering onto the marble floor.
Before Michael could scream, Luca slammed his fist into his brother's jaw, sending him crashing backward over a dining chair and sprawling onto the floor, unconscious and bleeding.
Silence fell instantly, save for the heavy panting of the terrified guests. Vanessa dropped to her knees, clutching her head in horror, staring at the blood pooling beside Michael’s motionless body.
Luca stood amidst the wreckage, his suit slightly rumpled, breathing steadily. He didn't look at his brother. Instead, his dark eyes scanned the room until they found me standing frozen beside Teresa.
He walked over slowly, ignoring the whimpering Vanessa on the floor. When he reached us, his harsh, intimidating aura softened just a fraction as he looked down at his mother.
“Are you hurt, Mom?” he asked, his voice thick with unexpressed emotion.
Teresa shook her head, tears streaming down her wrinkled cheeks. “I’m okay, sweetheart. But... but we need to talk about what happened to your father. The truth can't stay buried anymore.”
Luca nodded slowly, then turned his gaze toward me. He reached out, gently taking my hand from his mother's arm. His touch was surprisingly warm, sending an electric shiver straight up my spine.
“Hannah,” Luca said quietly, his eyes searching mine with intense gratitude and something deeper that I couldn't yet identify. “You saved my life tonight. And you protected my mother when everyone else abandoned her.”
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“I... I just did what was right, Mr. Moretti,” I stammered, feeling my cheeks flush under his intense stare.
“You can call me Luca,” he replied softly, before turning to his head of security, who was now standing at attention near the shattered doors. “Take Michael down to the basement holding cells. Lock Vanessa in the east wing and post guards outside her door. Nobody leaves this estate until I uncover every rat involved in this conspiracy.”
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